Anyone remember the San Diego Surf Dawgs of the Golden Baseball League independent minor league? Their games were fun quite fun and very affordable, being based out of Tony Gwynn Stadium over at SDSU. The team featured a decent cast of players featuring among others Rickey Henderson and for one game Jose Canseco. The team went belly up however after the 2006 season due to financial and fan support issues. And since then the Golden Baseball League itself merged with two other independent minor leagues a couple of years ago forming the North American League. That league has run into its own share of problems with two teams in Fullerton and Yuma defecting before this season. However the owners of those two teams have decided to have a go at their own league which they've named the American West Baseball League. And they've decided San Diego is going to get a franchise in their league.

Still no word on where the San Diego team is playing, though the options are pentiful including but not limited to Tony Gwynn Stadium and the new Fowler Park being built at USD. What they'll be named is also up in the air (it won't be Surf Dawgs as the NAL still owns that name and uses it for teams in their Arizona Summer and Winter Leagues). Also who the team is going to be made up of remains unknown. But we do know who their competition will be. The league so far has the existing Fullerton/Orange County Flyers and Yuma Panthers (ex-Scorpions) both late of the North American and Golden Baseball Leagues. As well as new franchises in Long Beach and Mesa. The league is also in negotiations with between 1-3 other groups in cities including Henderson, NV. I've always loved minor league ball, which isn't terribly inconvenient for folks in San Diego with Lake Elsinore only an hour or so north. But it will be great to have an even more accessible and affordable option around for those nights the Padres aren't in town or your pocketbook just can't handle a night out to PETCO. I wish them luck and hope it goes better than last time indy ball gave SD a try.

via cdn2-b.examiner.com

via farm1.staticflickr.com